Washington : A US federal court has struck down a series of immigration policies introduced during the administration of former President Donald Trump that subjected immigrants from 39 countries to heightened scrutiny and prolonged delays in the processing of their applications.
Chief US District Judge John McConnell Jr. of Rhode Island ruled that the policies implemented by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) exceeded the agency’s legal authority and were inconsistent with federal immigration law. The court found that the measures caused unnecessary delays and legal uncertainty for thousands of applicants.
Under the challenged policies, immigration applications submitted by individuals from several countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America were subjected to additional reviews and investigations. As a result, applications for asylum, permanent residency (green cards), citizenship, and other immigration benefits often remained pending for extended periods.
In his ruling, Judge McConnell stated that federal agencies cannot impose discriminatory practices based solely on an applicant’s country of origin. The court emphasized that immigration authorities must operate within the limits established by law and follow fair administrative procedures.
The case was brought by immigrant rights organizations and labor groups, which argued that the policies unfairly targeted certain nationalities and deprived many individuals of employment opportunities, family reunification, and other legal benefits while their applications remained unresolved.
Advocacy groups welcomed the decision, describing it as a significant victory for immigrant communities and the rule of law. They said the ruling could help thousands of affected applicants move forward with their immigration cases and restore fairness to the application process.